Campus Comments - Athletics News - 122013

ATHLETICS NEWS

Welford Retires as Head Men's Soccer Coach; Fischer Named New Coach

The NHTI athletic department has announced that Don Welford will be retiring as the head coach of the men’s soccer team.

Welford has been head coach of the NHTI men’s soccer program for a total of eight seasons. This includes his first stint of five years followed by a five-year hiatus and then once again returning to the program for three more seasons. Coach Welford led the Lynx to USCAA national tournaments appearances in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2012. Welford was named the Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) Coach of the Year in 2011, the year he returned for his second stint with the Lynx.

NHTI has found great success under Welford’s leadership, establishing men’s soccer as a top flight two year program with players moving on to four year colleges to continue their college athletic careers and compiling outstanding successful teams. During Coach Welford’s tenure several of his student athletes received YSCC and USCAA post-season awards including Player of the Year, All-Conference, All-American, and Academic All-American.

“Coach Welford has given many years of dedicated service to our men’s soccer program here at NHTI. He has been an asset and we will miss him dearly,” stated NHTI Athletic Director Paul Hogan. “We would like to thank Coach Welford for all he has done in both stints here with the Lynx. We wish him nothing but the best in his retirement.”

The athletics department is pleased to announce Sean Fisher as the new head coach of the men’s soccer team.

Coach Fischer joined the Lynx as a men’s soccer assistant coach in 2010. Sean is a graduate of Plymouth State University and holds a Masters of Education in the areas of physical education and health. He is a graduate of Manchester Central High School where he was a two sport athlete, playing both soccer and basketball. Sean is a physical education and health teacher at the Robert B. Jolicoeur School in Manchester, NH.

Coach Fischer takes over an NHTI men’s soccer team that went 13-4-1 in 2013 and finished as runner up’s in the Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) championship tournament. The Lynx also participated in the USCAA National Soccer Tournament for the second straight year and the third time in four years.

“Coach Fischer has been a very strong assistant for the past several seasons serving under two very successful and veteran coaches in Derek Johnson and Don Welford,” said Hogan. "Sean has a strong background in education, teaching and coaching and we have great confidence that he will continue our very strong men’s soccer program that has a rich tradition for over 40 years.”

Coach Fischer and the NHTI men’s soccer team will kick off the 2014 season in late August.

Steve Ambra Steps Down as Women’s Soccer, Co-Ed Bowling Coach

The NHTI, Concord’s Community College athletics department is announcing the resignation on longtime women’s soccer and co-ed bowling coach Steve Ambra.

Coach Ambra has been at the helm of the women’s soccer program since it’s inception at NHTI back in 2000. Over the course of 14 seasons Ambra coached at NHTI, the Lynx have enjoyed a great deal of success including capturing numerous Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) championships every year from 2001-2006, and again in 2008 and 2010. In addition Coach Ambra’s teams received bids to compete in national championship tournaments in 2003-2006 and 2008-2010.

During Ambra’s time at the helm, twelve Lynx athletes were named to the USCAA Academic All-American team, with numerous athletes being recognized for All-American and YSCC individual honors.

In addition to women’s soccer, Coach Ambra has been the only head coach of the NHTI co-ed bowling team. Steve led the program from 2010-2013 and guided them to a YSCC title in 2010.

“Coach Ambra has been instrumental in the success of our women’s soccer and bowling teams team here at NHTI. We cannot thank him enough for the many years of outstanding service and leadership he has provided for our programs,” said NHTI Athletic Director Paul Hogan. "Steve has a true understanding and passion for the game of soccer, and we have been privileged to have him part of the NHTI athletics family for the past 14 years. We wish Coach Ambra all success going forward. He will be deeply missed by all.”

There is no immediate announcement on a replacement head coach for the NHTI women’s soccer program. Bobby Strong will take over as coach of the NHTI co-ed bowling team. Strong was an assistant under Ambra in 2013.